Supporting family and friends as a doula can be both rewarding and complex. The personal connection you share makes it easy to overstep boundaries, give unsolicited advice, or slip out of your professional role.

Maintaining the balance between being a loved one and being a doula requires awareness, restraint, and compassion. It means stepping back from the more intimate role you usually play and intentionally working within the doula’s scope of practice.

In this episode, we talk about how to navigate these blurred lines while honoring the unique journey of the people closest to us. Just as we do with our clients, we must offer care, support, and guidance without judgment or assumption. 

Join us for a thoughtful conversation on how to serve with integrity, maintain boundaries, and show up professionally when supporting those you love.

Doula work often takes us on unexpected paths, and Eva’s journey is a perfect example of how growth and change can come full circle.

Eva began her career as an independent contractor, supporting families through labor and postpartum. Over time, she became a doula trainer, sharing her knowledge and experience with others entering the profession. Eventually, she joined Angela as a business partner at Tucson Doulas, helping to grow and shape the agency into what it is today.

Now, after years of leadership and teaching, Eva has stepped back from training and agency ownership to return to her roots as an independent contractor with Tucson Doulas. Health and life circumstances can shift priorities, and her story is a reminder that evolving in birth work doesn’t always mean moving forward; it can also mean coming home.

Join us as we talk about Eva’s journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how embracing change can bring renewed purpose and balance to a doula’s career.

Philanthropy and doula work are deeply connected. When your business is financially sustainable, you gain the freedom to give back in meaningful ways.

Charging your worth does more than cover your expenses. It creates space to support your community through acts both big and small. Whether organizing diaper drives, quietly helping families in need, or donating resources to local organizations, a thriving business gives you the ability to make a lasting impact.

Giving back should not come at the expense of your livelihood. By valuing your services and setting fair rates, you create stability for yourself while opening the door to generosity.

Join us as we explore how sustainable business practices empower doulas to serve their clients, support their communities, and expand their influence beyond the birth room.

It is common for partners to have different opinions about pregnancy, birth, or parenting.

These differences can create tension, especially when decisions need to be made. As doulas, we play a vital role in navigating these situations with professionalism and care.

It is important that we equip ourselves with strategies to support both individuals without taking sides. We can more effectively help them communicate by asking questions that invite open communication and help uncover the underlying values or fears behind each perspective.

Understanding where each person is coming from creates space for empathy and problem-solving. Guiding partners toward common ground by encouraging collaboration and fostering mutual respect is critical. By remaining neutral and supportive, doulas can help families approach these challenges as a team rather than opponents.

Join us for a practical conversation on how to maintain balance, build trust, and support healthy communication when clients and their partners see things differently.

Meal planning and preparation services can enhance the doula support options you provide to clients. However, doulas must consider regulations, logistics, and business implications before jumping in. Understanding the difference between meal planning and meal preparation is essential. Each service offers unique benefits for families. It is critical to understand the local cottage food laws and regulations in your community. These rules directly affect how and where meals can be prepared. It is also important to weigh the pros and cons of preparing meals in a client’s home versus preparing them in your own when legality is not a factor in this decision. Tax implications, such as transaction privilege tax, are another factor to consider. These details can significantly impact the pricing and profitability of the meal services you offer. Join us for a practical conversation that explores opportunities, responsibilities, and business realities when offering meal planning and prep services.

A dedicated office space for a doula business can bring professionalism, visibility, and a central hub for meetings and classes. It can also come with significant costs and added responsibilities. Understanding the pros and cons is essential before making the investment.

Calculating the potential return on investment provides a clear picture of whether it is a worthwhile investment. It is important to weigh costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, and furnishings. Compare them to potential income, client convenience, and growth opportunities.

Carefully exploring these factors can reveal if an office space for your doula business will truly support long-term goals. It may also show if your resources are better used elsewhere.

Join us as we discuss location evaluation, shared versus private spaces, and creative ways to maximize usage. Learn how to align your decision with your overall business strategy.

Working with clients who hold status, whether they are medical providers, influencers, politicians, or public figures, can present unique opportunities and challenges for doulas. Supporting high-visibility clients while maintaining the same standards of care, boundaries, and intent you offer every other family may not come as easily as you think.

While there are potential benefits of these connections, there can also be stumbling blocks. It can be tempting to hope for public praise or referrals from influencers, but doulas must not bank on that exposure or let it influence their role. Confidentiality is non-negotiable, and these clients deserve the same privacy, respect, and space to be vulnerable without fear of judgment.

Join us for a candid and professional conversation about supporting clients with influence, while staying grounded in ethics, integrity, and the heart of doula work.

What is selective bias, and how does it show up in our work as doulas? We all interpret and retain information in ways that align with our pre-existing beliefs, often unknowingly dismissing data that challenges our biases. From interpreting research to making decisions in birth spaces, selective bias can shape the care we provide and can influence the experiences of our clients.

As doulas, we have a responsibility to recognize and confront our own biases, especially when it comes to topics like interventions and birth preferences. Are you open to thinking critically about your own biases, considering how they affect your practice, and exploring ways to actively seek out diverse perspectives?  Join us for an honest conversation about learning and growing in our doula practice, and how embracing discomfort can lead to more effective, unbiased support for the families we serve.

Doula work can be incredibly rewarding, but it won't be the right fit for everyone. In this episode, we talk openly about why someone shouldn't become a doula.

Birth work requires a specific mindset, skills, and responsibilities. Being judgmental, struggling to hold space, or expecting birth work to be all about personal fulfillment can create harm. Becoming a doula means running a doula business, and passion alone isn’t enough if you're not prepared to market, manage, and sustain a professional practice.

This honest conversation takes a raw and real look at what it takes to be a doula. It is essential to preserve the integrity of the profession and support future doulas in entering the work with clarity and intention.

If you or someone you know is considering becoming a doula, this is a must-listen episode.

Every doula experiences it. The ups and downs of client inquiries and bookings are a normal part of running a doula business. Some months are full, while others feel uncomfortably quiet. There is often a natural ebb and flow of doula work, and it is important to stay grounded when things slow down.

What can you do during slower seasons to remain productive and focused? You may start by reflecting on your current marketing strategy and identifying what is working and what needs improvement. Or maybe it's time to refresh your website and social media to reconnect with your community. There are many powerful steps you can take to strengthen your business and support long-term growth.

If you have ever felt anxious during a quiet stretch, this conversation is for you. Tune in to learn how to make the most of the downtime and come back stronger.